Cuba is probably the most complete diving destination in the Caribbean… and better conserved. Its almost 800 km of coastline and more than 4,000 islets are home to more than 1,500 marine species, including 50 of corals and 200 species of sponges that inhabit luminous coral gardens preserved in perfect condition.
If you want to know the best underwater Cuba your destination has to be Jardines de la Reina or Isla Juventud, a national marine park where its crystal clear waters, sharks and coral walls are the big players along with huge groupers, turtles and even crocodiles. An average visibility of between 30 and 40 meters, numerous schools of tropical fish and an enviable average water temperature of 24º C makes Cuba a very special place to spend a diving vacation on a liveaboard.
Although its network of diving boats still has a lot to improve it is professionalizing at a good pace and we have selected for you some good boats that offer a great diving experience on board.
Check availability, upcoming departures, liveaboard features and book online at the best with the guarantee of PADI.
Best liveaboards in Cuba
What a Cuba diving safari looks like…
Diving season in Cuba
You can dive in Cuba all year round with better conditions during the dry season, from December to April. It is preferable to avoid summer until October, when there is more rain and a bit more rough seas. Also keep in mind that the east coast is subject to hurricanes from July to November and it is important to know that Cuba experiences a hurricane every two years.
The average temperature of the water is excellent, 25º C, son a 5 mm full wetsuit and in summer a 3 mm wetsuit will be enough.
What diving certification do I need to join a diving safari in Cuba?
Every liveaboard in Cuba is suitable for Open Water Divers.
Traveling to Cuba
To dive in Jardines de la Reina you have to fly to the airports of Santa Clara (Abel Santamaria Airport) or Camaguey (Ignacio Agramonte Airport) and if you are going to dive in Bahia Cochinos you should go to the José Martí airport in Havana or to Varadero.
Could be cheaper fly via Miami or New York as the USA/CUBA flights are very cheap (all american clients are already flying to Santa Clara, Camaguey or Cayo Coco).
Only a couple of liveaboards in Cuba offer free transfers from the airport or hotel as a part of the liveaboard package deal. It is very important that after booking your liveaboard deal confirm with the boat booking crew time of boarding and airport where you have to fly.